Kansas wheat harvest wrapping up

The wheat harvest in Kansas is finished in all but the northernmost and western sections of the state, the Kansas Department of Human Resources reported.

It's been an unusual year, on in which the cutting got started earlier than normal and is on track to be completed by the end of June for one of the first times in recent memory.

Some analysts say the crop produced 25 to 40 percent less grain than the past two years, both of which saw high production. And the price of what remains low.

"It's been kind of a roller-coaster ride," said Gary Spellman, branch manager of Collingwood Grain in Lyons. "I guess you lose some customers, you gain some customers, and it all balances out in the end."

"We'd had two excellent years, two excellent crops," said Rick Kimbrel, manager of Farmer's Grain and Supply Co., of Greensburg.

Across the state, yields vary widely. Kansas State University puts the statewide average at approximately 35 bushels per acre.

But near Colby in Thomas County, KDHR officials reported yields of from five to 30 bushels per acre.

"I've heard everything from the lower 30s to up to 60, too," Spellman said. "One farm average was going to be around 38 bushels, and another thought the low 40s. It didn't turn out too bad around here."